Refrigeration apparatus



Nov. 5, 1929; WARNER ET AL 1,734,550

REFRIGERATION APPARATUS FiledAugQ 5, 192:

3 Sheets-Sheet l Nova 5,, 1929. c. WARNER ET AL 1,734,550-

REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NOV. 5, 1929. c. W R ET AL 7 1,734,550

RE YRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet '3 Patented Nov. 5, 1929 d UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE WARNER ANID ELMER L. HORLACHER, F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOBS, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO FRIGIDAIBE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Application filed August 1925. Serial No, 48,326.

different phases of operation automatically succeed one another in recurring cycles. One Object of the invention to provlde i for an absorptiomty-pe refrigeration system a controller having an operating member movable into one position to cause the heat- 10 ing of the absorbent to begin and the cooling thereof to cease, and movable into another position to cause the heating of the absorbent to cease and the cooling thereof to begin, and

to control the movable member'bot-h in accordance with conditions within the generator-absorber of the system and wlthm the evaporator. I I

A further ob]ect of the present invention is to simplify the control mechanism of an absorption refrigerator to facilitate the manufacture and repair thereof, by embodying in a unitary structure the entire movable mechanism of the control, which mechanism can be made as a unitary sub-assembly before being applied to the refrigerator and can be removed as such for the ready repair thereof. Another improvement of the control mechanism is obtained by providing a thermostat which in itself is constructed as a unit subassembly, and which is constructed so as to be relatively sensitive while at thesame time providing adequate control-operat1ng power.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a pre ferred form of the present invention is clearly shown. 7

In the drawings: i

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the 1mproved refrigerating system;

Fig. 2 shows a fragmentary sectional view of the generator-absorber. showing the controller of the system in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the controller in another position; and- Fig. 4*is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the controller in a still further position.

Figs. 5, 6,-7- and 8 are fragmentary, views on lines 55, 66, 7-7 and 8-8, respectively, of Fig. 2. a Referring to the drawings, there is shown a generator-absorber 20 containingan absorbent 21. A cooling device for 'theabsorbent includes acoil 22 submerged in the absorbent and adapted to contain a cooling medium. A heating device for the generator-absorber 20 includes a gas burner 23 which is controlled by the gas valve 24. The generatorabsorber 20 is arranged to be intermittently heated by the heating device and intermittently cooled by the cooling device, andthese.

phases of operation .are automatically controlled by a controller 25 whereby the system is operated in recurring cycles. 'Duringthe heating phase of the generator-absorber 20, vaporized refrigerant is conducted through a dehydrator 27 comprising, two parallel coils 28 and 29 and through a non-return valve 30, pipe 31, to a condenser 32 comprisin a coil which is contained in a tank' 33 contaming a cooling medium 34. The condensed refrigerant is conducted through a pipe 35 to the cooling unit 37. The cooling unit includes a header 38 which receives the condensed refrigerant and from which is suspended a brine tank 39. Brine tank 39 receives an ice tray sleeve 40 for an ice tray not shown.

During the cooling phase of the generatorabsorber 20, vaporized'refrigerant is conducted from the container 38 through pipe 35, condenser 32, pipe 31, a non-return valve 43, and pipe 44, which pipe has its outlet, including a plurality of orifices 45, located below the level of absorbent within the generator-absorber. A conduit 47 is connected between the container 38 and the generator-absorber 20 and has its inlet 48 located at a relatively low a projection 54 to which the de ydrator coils enerator-absorber to the 28 and 29 are connected. The dehydrator coils are connected with the valve 30 by'a pipe 55 which is connected with a chamber 56 of the valve 30. Valve 30 includes a second chamber 57 located below the chamber 56;

and contains a quantity of mercury 58. The

pipe 59 connects chamber 56 and chamber 57,

tainer 33, the water passing through a valve 62 which is controlled by a float 63. The outlet of the tank 33 is connected adjacent its lower end with a pipe 65. The tank 33 is connected with an overflow pipe 66 through I, which water may flow in case the valve 62 does not function correctly and permits the excessive amount of water to fidw from the tank 33.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 to 8, the controller for intermittently operating'the heating device 23, and intermittently operating the cooling device 22, includes a receptacle 71 having two compartments 72 and 73 separated from one another by a wall 74. The end of pipe 65, leading from the condenser tank 33, is carried by the receptacle 71, and

water is adapted to flow from the tank 33 through the pipe 65 to either compartment 72 or 73. Water from the compartment 72 flows by way of pipe 76 to the cooling coil 22,

A which in turn is connected through a pipe 77 with a drain pipe 78 (see Fig. 1) the water flowing from the pipe 77 into a funnel-shaped member 79 which is connected with a drain pipe 78. Therefore, when water flows into compartment 72 of receptacle 71, the cooling device for the generator-absorber will be ren dcred operable.

WVhen water flows into compartment 73 of receptacle 71, it will be conducted by a pipe 80 into a movable receptacle 81. The downward movement of the receptacle 81 will cause the gas valve 24 to be actuated to permit gas to flow to the burner 23. When water ceases to flow into receptacle 71 and hence into receptacle 81, the water already in receptacle 81 will drain therefrom through a small drain hole (not shown). A spring (not shown),

' will return the receptacle to upper position to close the gas valve 24. Further details of the gas valve are disclosed in the copending application of Harry B. Hull, Serial No.

48,280, filed August 5, 1925; and the valve is claimed in the applicationof Harry 13. Hull and Clarence Warner, Serial No. 48,281, liled August 5, 1925.

The controller25 controls the flow of water to the compartments 72 and 73, and comprises aframe including two L-shaped members 130 and 131. Member 130 carries a metallic bellows 132 which is connected by a pipe 134 with a bulb 134 located within the brine tank 39 of the cooling unit 37. This bulb contains a quantity of volatile liquid and isadapted to cause expansion and contraction of the belbellows 132. Adog 140 is pivotally carried o'nthe end of member 135 by pin 141. A'

spring 142 is wound around the pin 141, en-

gages the dog 140 and tends to move the up- I per end of the dog to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. The upper end of the dog 140 has a shoulder 143 which is arranged to cooperate with an arm 144 of a trip mechanism, to be lescribed.

lower end immersed within the absorbent 21 in the generatoreabsorber. The top of this tube carries the frame member 150. A plurality of posts 151 are located within the tube 150 and engage the bottom wall 152 of'said tube. The upper ends of these posts carry. a clip 153 having a pivot pin 154. The upper end of one of the posts 151 is screw-threaded, as at 155, to receive nuts 156, between which there is mounted a bracket 157 pivoted on pin 15.4. The bracket 157 carries a pin 158, and nuts 156 can be raised or lowered so as to raise and lower pin 158. A lever 159 is pivotally mounted upon the pin 158, and is arranged to engage the arm 144 of the trip mechanism.

A plurality of bimetal plates 160, each of which includes metals of dilferent coefiicient of expansion and which like metals of each are placed against one another, are contained within the tube 150 andare heldin pos ion by the posts 151. A rod 161 abuts the top of bimetalplate 160 and engages the yoke of lever 159 for moving said lever upwardly. The posts 151 maintain a guide 162 in position, whichguide maintains the rod 161 in operative relation with respect to the lever 159 and the plates 160.

The trip mechanism 165 includes a frame 166 having V-shaped notches 167 and 168 which receive arms 144 and 169, respectively. Arm 169 includes bafile 170 formed integrally therewith, which bafiie cooperates with a nozzle 171 ,formed by the end of pipe.65. A spring 172 is connected with the arms 144 and 169. The arm 144is arranged to be moved upwardly by the lever 159-, and after said arm is moved a predetermined distance upwardly, it will'c'ause the arm 169, and like wise the battle 170, to be moved from the posi- A tube 150 projects through the top por flow over the wall 74 and into the compart ment 73 which leads to the movable receptacle 81. When the bailie is in the position shown in Fig. 3, it will lie close to the nozzle 171 to impede the flow of water therethrough, and

likewise cause the water to flow into the compartment 72 which leads to the cooling coils 22 and the generator-absorber.

The operation of the device is as follows:

' Fig. 2 shows the control apparatus in condition for starting the heating of the generatorabsorber. The temperature of the evaporator has increased to a degree causing the pressure in bellows 132 to increase to a point where the lever 135 has been moved into the position shown in Fig. 2. During movement of lever 135 into this position it has caused the shoulder. 143 to engage the arm 144 to move the baflle 170 into the position shown in Fig.

2. Water flowing from the water container of the condenser will go through the pipe 65,

' nozzle 171 and into compartment 73, thus causing water to flow into the movable receptacle 81 and actuating the burner valve, whereby the burner 23will be lighted by a pilot light not shown. When this occurs, the absorbent and refrigerant within the generator absorber will be heated and the vapor ized refrigerant will pass through the 'dehy drator 27, pipe 55 and into chamber 56 oi the valve 30. Pressure within the system will cause the refrigerant to be forced through the pipe 59and into the mercury 58. Refrigerant will bubble through the mercury 58 and pass from the valve into the ipe31 which leads to the condenser 32. Te condensed refrigerant will pass through the condenser 32 through pipe 35 into the container 38. This phase of operation will continue until a substantial part of the refrigerant is driven from the absorbent, at which time the absorbent will be heated to such a degree as to cause the bimetal plates 160, within the tube 150, to.

bend to such a degree as to move the rod 161 to such a distance that the lever 159 will move the arm 144, whereby the arm 169, and likewise battle 170, will be actuated and will as-' sume the position shown in Fig. 3.

When the baffle is in the position shown in Fig. 3, water from' the'nozzle 171 will flow into the compartment 72, whence it will flow through pipe 76 to the cooling coil 32, cooling the absorbent. When no water is flowing into the movable container 81, the water within said container will drain through the passage 126 in the pipe 121, permitting the burner valve to be closed in the manner described. The cooling of the generatorabsorber will cause refrigeration to take place within the evaporator container,-the gas passing from said container through the pipes 35, condenser 32, pipe 31, branch pipe 176 to the chamber 177 of the non-return valve 43, which is constructed substantially the same as the non-return valve 30 and includes a second chamber 178 containing a quantity of mercury 179; and is connected by a pipe 180 with the chamber 17 7, which pipe 7 has an outlet immersed in the mercury 179. Refrigerant passing through the valve 43 will pass from the outlet of the valve which is located above the level of mercury within and flow to the pipe .44, whence it passes through the orifices into the absorbent within the generator-absorber 20.

The evaporator isfirst cooled by the expansion-of refrigerant therein so that the bellows 132 will contract to move the lever 135 to the u position shown in Fig. 4,-and to causethe dog 140 to move upwardly and the shoulder 143 to be located above the arm 144 so as to engage arm 144 as shoulder 143 moves'downwardly again. During the upward movement ofdog 140the surface 180 is urged against arm 144 by spring 142, and dog 140 will snap into the position shown in Fig. 2 when the arm 144 is free of the shoulder 143. As evaporation continues in the evaporator, substantially all refrigerant will be withdrawn from the container 38. After this, the cooling unit will become warmer, and the temperature of the fluid within the thermostat tube 134 will likes 'wise become warmer. When the temperature of the fluid within the thermostat tube 134 downwardly, carrying with it the dog 140,-.

the shoulder 143 of said dog engaging the arm 144, and after said bellows has expanded to a certain extent the arm 144 will have moved sufliciently to cause the arm 169, and likewise the battle 170, to assume the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position the water is again directed to the compartment 73 to again start the heating phase of the generator-absorber. Then the cycle of operation is repeated as often as necessary to maintain the 1:lesired average temperature in the brine tan After-the lever 135 has been moved downwardly a distance suflicient to move the arm 144 in a position which will allow the spring 172 to move it and the baffle 170 into the position shown in Fig. 2, further downward movement of the lever 135 due to further ex: pansion of the bellows 132 will cause the ear 181 of the dog to engage the frame member 131 and cause the upper portion of the dog to move into the position shown in Fig. 2, in which the shoulder 143 moves away from the operating arm 144, whereby said arm is free to be moved upwardly by the lever 159.

Toconserve the supply of Water during the cooling phase of the generator, the bafiie 170 lies adjacent. the nozzle 171 and impedes the flow of water therethrough to What is necessary for the cooling of the generator.

The controller unit may be removed intact after removing the screws 150 which secure the frame 130'to the platform 150w By removing. screw 156, the thermostat unit ineluding parts 151, 152,153, 160, 161 and 162 may be'removed intact from the controller unit. This construction enables the thermostat of the controller and the remainder of the controller to be assembled separately into two sub-assemblies, before completely assembling, andalso facilitates removal of the 0on troller for repairs and adjustment.

WVhile the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might'be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What'is claimed is as follows:

1. Absorption refrigerating apparatus ineluding generator-absorber means, means forheating the generator-absorber means,

, means for cooling the generatonabsorber means, amovable member adapted when in one position to render the heating means operative and when in another position to renderthe' cooling means operative, a mechanism for positively moving the movable member to and when in another position to render the cooling means operative, a mechanism for positively moving the movable member inone direction, means responsive to a predetermined condition in the system for actuating the mechanism, a second mechanism for positively moving the movable member in the op- Y posite direction, means responsive to another predetermined condition in the system for actuating said second mechanism, and means for automatically removing the second mechanism from the path otthe movable member on completion of its movement.

3. Absorption refrigerating apparatus including 'generatonabsorber; means, means for heating the generator-absorber means to produce a generating phase, means for cooling the generator-absorber means to produce an absorbing phase, a movable member adapted when in one position to render the heating means operative and adapted when in a second position to render the cooling means operative, a mechanism for positively moving the movable member to its coolat. Absorption refrigerating apparatus ineluding generator-absorber means, means for heating the generator-absorber means to produce a generating phase, means for cooling the generator-absorber means to produce an absorbing phase, amo'vable member adapted when in one position to render the heating means operative and adapted when in a second position to render the cooling means operative, a mechanism Y for posi' tively moving the movable member to its cooling position, means responsive to a predetermined condition in 'the system for actuating said mechanism, a second mechanism for positively moving the movable member to its heating position, means responsive to a second predetermined condition in the system for actuating the second mechanism, means fpr disconnecting the second mechanism from the movable member, said disconnecting means and said secondcondition-responsive means eo-operating to maintain the second mechanism disconnected from the movable member during the generating phase, and means for operatively connecting the second mechanism and movable member during the absorbing phase.

5. An absorption refrigerating system comprising in combination, a generator absorber containing an absorbent; means for heating Qmechanism adapted to engage the movable member and move it to one position, a second mechanism for moving the member to another position, means responsive to one predetermined condition or" the system for actuating the first-mentioned mechanism, means lying in the path of movement of the first-mentioned mechanism for disengaging the mechanism from the member after a predetermined movement of the member, and means sorbent; and a controller including a movable member for alternatelyrendering the heating means'and cooling means operative, a.

lever for moving the member to one position, a stop means for disengaging the-leverfrom the member, mechanism for moving the member to another position, means responsive to one predetermined condition of the system for actuating the lever to move the member and to engage the stop means after a predetermined movement of the member, and means responsive to another predetermined condition of the system for actuating the mechanism. i v 7. An absorption refrigerating system comprising in combination, a generator absorber containin an absorbent; means for heating the absor ent; means for cooling the absorbent, an open ended receptacle carried by the generator absorber and subject to the temperature of the generator absorber; and a controller adapted alternately to render the heating means and the cooling means operative, the controller including a base forming a cover for said open ended receptacle, temfperature responsive means extending within the receptacle, and control mechanism actuated by said temperature responsivemeans.

8. An absorption refrigerating system comprising in combination, a generator absorber containing an absorbent; an open ended receptacle projecting within the generator-absorber and subject to the temperature of'the absorbent, means for heating the absorbent; means for cooling the absorbent; a cooling medium circulating system for rendering the heating means and the cooling means alternately operative; and a, unitary controller structure for the circulating system including a base forming a cover for said receptacle, a container mounted on the base and having a plurality of compartments connected to the circulating means, and means mounted on the baseresponsive to the condition of the system for directing cooling medium into said compartments alternately, said means including a thermostat in said receptacle, and the flow ofcooling medium in one compartment being adapted to operate. the heating means and the flow of cooling medium in the other compartment being adapted to operate the cooling means. I

9. A unitary control structure for refrigeratorsi 'compitisin in combination a base plate adapted] to orm a cover for a receptacle, a container mounted on one' side of the base -plate having a plurality ofcompartments adapted to receive water and means said compartments, said means including a thermostat projecting on the other side of the base plate and adapted to be received by the container and an operating member ex tending through the base plate adapted to actuate said directin means,

-for directing the flow of water to eitherof 10.. Absorption re igerating apparatus including generator-absorber means, an open ended receptacle projecting within the generator-absorber and subject .to the temperature thereof, a heater and a cooler for the generator-absorber means, a cooling medium circulating system including a pair of ducts, means actuated by cooling medium flowing in one duct for causing the heater to be operative, the cooler being rendered op'-' erative by medium flowin in the other duct, and a unitarycontrol device including a base forming a cover for said receptacle, a two compartment container mounted on the base and having one compartment connected with each of said ducts and means mounted on the base responsive to' the condition in the system for causing cooling mediumto flow in the compartments alternatingly, said last mentioned means including a thermostatmounted on the base and pro ecting into the receptacle.

11. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a generator-absorber, means for heating the generator-absorber, means for cooling the generatoreabsorber, a movable "member adapted when in one position to render the heating means 0 erative and when in another position to ren er the cooling means operative, means for moving said member to-one position in response to a predetermined condition of the system, means for moving the member to the other position in'response; to a second predetermined condition of the system, means for automatically disconnecting said second moving means from the member after movement to its second position, said second moving means being responsive to a third predetermined condition of the a system for re-connectmg itself with said member.

12. Refrigerating apparatus including in combination a generator-absorber, means for heating the generator-absorber, means for cooling'the generiatonabsorber, anevaporator, a movable, member adapted when in one position to render the heating means operative and when in another position to render the cooling means operative, means responsive to a predetermined high temperature of the generator-absorber for moving said member to one position, means. responsive to a predetermined high temperature of the evaporator for moving the member to the other position, and meansfordisconnecting i said second moving means from the movable member upon movement to its second p051: tion, said second moving means being responsorber, means adapted tobe actuated in re-' sponse to a predetermined high temperature in an evaporator for moving the member to its permitting position, means adapted to be actuated in response to a predetermined high temperature in the generator absorber for moving the member to its preventing position, the means for moving the member to its permitting position being inoperative so to move the member after movement of said member to *its preventing position, said last mentioned means being adapted to be rendered operative in response to a predetermined low temperature in the evaporator to move the member to its permitting position in response to a subsequent predetermined high temperature in the evaporator.

I 151. A controller for automatic intermittent absorption refrigerating systems comprising in combination a movable member adapted inone position to permit heat ng of a generator-absorber and in another position to prevent heating of the generator absorber,

a temperature-responsive motor for moving the membei' to its permitting position, a second temperature-responsive motor for moving the member ,to its preventing position, the first'motor being inoperative to move the member after the member has been moved by the second motor, and'means associated with the first motor for rendering the first motor operative in response to a predetermined low temperature to move the member in response to a subsequent predetermined high temperature. I

15. A controller for automatic intermittent absorption refrigerating systems comprising in combination a. valveadapted to permit or to prevent heating of a generator-absorber, means adapted to be actuated in responseto a predetermined high temperature; in an 1 evaporator for moving the valve to its permitting position, means adapted to beactuated in response to a predetermined high temperature in the generator-absorber for moving the valve to its preventing position, the means for moving the valve to its permitting position being inoperative to move the valve after movement of the valve to its preventing position, said last mentioned means being adapted to be rendered operative in response to a predetermined low temperature in the evaporator to move the valve to its permitting position in response to a subsequent predetermined high temperature in-the evaporator.

16. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a generator-absorber, means for heating the generator-absorber, an evaporator, a movable member adapted in one position to permit heating of the generator-absorber and in another position to prevent heating of the generator-absorber, means responsive to a predetermined high temperature in the evaporator for moving the member to its permitting position, means respon sive to a predetermined high temperature in the generator-absorber for moving the memher to its preventing position, the means responsive to the temperature of the evaporator being inoperative to move the member after movement of said member to its preventingposition, the means responsive to the .evapo rator temperature being adapted to be rendered operative'in response to a predetermined low temperature of the evaporator to move the member to its permitting position in response to a subsequent predetermined high temperature of the evaporator. I

17. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a generator-absorber, means for heating the generator-absorber, means for cooling the generator-absorber, an evaporator, a movable member adapted in one position to render the heating means operative and adapted when in another position to render the cooling means operative, means responsive to a predetermined high temperature of the evaporator for moving the member to its heating position, means responsive to a. predetermined high temperature of the generator-absorber for moving the member to its cooling position, the means for moving the member to its heating position beinginoperative so to move the member after movement of said member to its cooling position, the means responsive to the evaporator-temperature being adapted to berendered operative in response to a predetermined low temperature of the evaporator to move the'member to its heating position in response to a subsequent predetermined high temperature of the evaporator. 18. The method of. cyclically operating a refrigerating apparatus having a generatorabsorber and an evaporator which consists in heating the generator-absorber to supply refrigerant to the the evaporator, stopping the heating at a predetermined high temperature of the jgeneratorabsorber, cooling the generator-absorber to withdraw refrigerant from and reduce the temperature of the evap orator While positively preventing heating of the generator-absorber, permitting heating of the generator-absorberwhen the evaporator temperaturereaches a predetermined loW- value, and starting the heating of the generator-absorber When the evaporator temperature subsequently reaches a predetermined high value;

19. Refrigerating apparatus comprising an 20. Refrigerating apparatus comprising an evaporator, a generator-absorber, means for heating the'generator absorber tosupply refrigerant to the evaporator, the generator absorber being adapted to be cooled to Withdraw refrigerant from the evaporator, means responsive to the condition of the generator for stopping the heating means; and means responsive to a predetermined high temperature of the evaporator following a predetermined low temperature thereof for starting the heating means.

In testimony whereof we hereto afiix our signatures.-

CLARENCE WARNER. ,ELMER L. HORLACHE'R'. 

